U joint bellows inspection Alpha one Gen one

[tfret]

I am getting water in the boat coming in from the drive shaft hole. I had this problem about 5 years ago and it was the U joint bellows. The only local shop available to me repaired it. I have since learned from other experiences that this shop can do some less than stellar work. I won't go into that, but suffice to say, I do all my own repair work now. I'm wanting to confirm the bellows is indeed split, or could it possibly be coming loose on one end. I found a video where someone discovered this on their's and ending up being able to simply reinstall the end that was working loose. Is there a way to inspect the bellows without having to remove the drive or bell housing? Thank you.

 

[wahlejim]

With the outrive trimmed up, stick your hands up there and feel around. Look for signs of wetness or oil on the outside. I have yet to find a bellow that wasn't oily from the grease on the ujoints flinging around. At 5 years, it is most likely time to replace regardless of whether there is a split in there or not. Like most things on a boat, the first time takes the longest as you learn what to do (and what not to do). After that, it won't seem like such a daunting task.

 

[Lou C]

I would say that's a bad gamble. You really need to inspect the bellows since you can have a small tear in the folds that you would not see easily. 5 years it should be OK still but why take a chance, of then having to do the gimble bearing and maybe u joints. I had one on my Cobra last 11+ seasons but I always pulled the drive each season to check.

 

[Maclin]

If you have water coming into the boat then that level is really high and in my opinion you need to remove the drive and assess ujoints and gimbal bearing. Then go the extra mile or two and put in a new bellows. I will say that I have seen a video or 2 that showed putting the front bellows clamp back on without removing the bellhousing an an Alpha One, where the bellows had slipped for one reason or another, but the bellows itself was new and intact. Isn't 5 years on a drive bellows close to retirement anyway?

 

[achris]

5 years for a merc bellows is not old. My current bellows are 12 years old and still in perfect condition. Most I have replaced in the last 20 years were at least 10 years old.

Refitting bellows that have slipped. This is usually a reference to the exhaust bellows, not the uni joint bellows. If the uni joint bellows is slipped, the drive should be removed (not a daunting job, 10 minutes at worst), and a new bellows fitted properly.

Chris.....

 

[Maclin]

I just looked up the video for the fix to a drive bellows that had slipped at the front connection. The actual fix is not shown step by step but is described. It is from 5:10 to 6:00. Probably a special case.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOnocSVTPUs&t=645s

This was leaking, but is low on the drive. Yours is holding water until it gets up to the vent hole and on into the interior of the boat. Hope your ujoints and gimbal are ok, but probably need attention by now.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Pull the drive and inspect. You are supposed to be pulling the drive annually to inspect the bellows, gimbal bearing and u-joints

 

[tfret]

Made it back to the lake today and took a closer look. With the drive trailered all the way up I can see the U bellow really well because the boat has through hull exhaust and no exhaust bellow. The bellow looks like new. And the ends look seated where they should be. From the inside of the boat while idleing in the water I looked closer at where the water is getting in. Above the drive shaft and to the right there is a small hole, maybe 1/4” Diameter or so. Water is trickling in through that hole. Is this a bellows vent or something?

 

[achris]

Photos?

 

[tfret]

No I didn’t take any but next time I will.

 

[Bt Doctur]

dont think Alpha1 used a speedo port the GEN II drive does have one.in that location

 

[achris]

dont think Alpha1 used a speedo port the GEN II drive does have one.in that location

Yeah, maybe. Is the 'right' he's referring to as he looks at it :facepalm: or to the 'starboard of it'? That's why I prefer absolute references. The port side is the port side, regardless of your own position... Yep, even standing on your head.

Chris....

 

[tfret]

Alpha 1 gen 1. Little hole on port side directly across from the water hose connection on the starboard side. I’m pretty sure that location is outside the bellows area

 

[achris]

Somewhere like this???



Chris.........

 

[tfret]

I'm a little disoriented with the engine not there, but if the hole directly level with the bundle of wire is the drive shaft hole, and the hole below that is the exhaust hole(which mine doesn't use because it's through hull exhaust), then YES, that circled area where my water is come from!

 

[tfret]

After looking at several other transom assembly images on google, YES, this is exactly where my leak is. Is there supposed to be a hole there?

 

[achris]

After looking at several other transom assembly images on google, YES, this is exactly where my leak is. Is there supposed to be a hole there?

Nope!

 

[tfret]

Looks like it's wire wheel and JB Weld time!

 

[Chuckles88]

I just put new bellows and a bearing in my alpha 1 gen 1 due to water leaking in the vent hole just above the bearing. My vent was directly above the bearing and not to one side or the other.

 

[tfret]

It's a little hard to access but I'll try to get a good close look at it next time I'm at the lake. It's all the same color and not well lit in there. So is there in fact a vent hole in the alpha 1 gen 1 transome assembly?